Integrated self-optimizing multi-parameter and multi-variable point to multipoint communication system

ABSTRACT

The invention provides a method and system for adaptive point to multipoint wireless communication. The wireless physical layer and the wireless media-access-control (MAC) layer collectively include a set of parameters, which are adaptively modified by a base station controller for communication with a plurality of customer premises equipment. The base station controller adjusts communication with each customer premises equipment individually and adaptively in response to changes in characteristics of communication, including physical characteristics, amount of communication traffic, and nature of application for the communication traffic.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/316,415 filed Dec. 22, 2005 (now allowed), which is a continuation ofU.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/719,891 filed Nov. 21, 2003 (nowU.S. Pat. No. 6,992,986), which is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 09/475,716 filed Dec. 30, 1999 (now U.S. Pat. No.6,654,384).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to an adaptive point to multipoint wirelesscommunication system.

2. Related Art

Wireless communication between a sender and a receiver includes sendinginformation using a wireless communication link, in which the sendermodulates information onto a wireless communication channel (such as afrequency band reserved for wireless communication between the senderand the receiver), and the receiver demodulates that information fromthe wireless communication channel, so as to recover the originalinformation.

One problem with known systems is that physical characteristics of thecommunication link between the sender and receiver can changesubstantially over relatively short periods of time (for example, thedistance between the sender and receiver or the equipment used by thesender or receiver). This is particularly so for interference, such asco-channel interference (CCI), and for multipoint effects, such asreflections resulting in intrasymbol interference and intersymbolinterference. Moreover, these physical characteristics can changeindependently of one another. As a result, selection of a single set ofsuch physical characteristics can result in relatively ineffective orinefficient communication between the sender and the receiver.

Accordingly, it would be advantageous to provide a technique foradaptive point to multipoint wireless communication, in whichcharacteristics of the communication techniques between sender andreceiver can be changed adaptively in response to changes in thecharacteristics of the physical communication media, that is not subjectto drawbacks of the known art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides a method and system for adaptive point tomultipoint wireless communication. In a preferred embodiment, thewireless physical layer and the wireless media-access-control (MAC)layer collectively include a set of parameters, which are adaptivelymodified by a base station controller for communication with a pluralityof customer premises equipment. In a first aspect of the invention, thewireless transport layer includes a number of provisions, such asadaptive link layer transport services and an advanced TDMA (timedivision multiple access) protocol. In a second aspect, the base stationcontroller adjusts communication with each customer premises equipmentindividually and adaptively in response to changes in characteristics ofcommunication, including physical characteristics, amount ofcommunication traffic, and nature of application for the communicationtraffic. The use of point-to-point multipoint wireless channel providesservices over a link whose parameters are continuously adapting tocurrent conditions, on a per-user basis.

The invention provides an enabling technology for a wide variety ofapplications for communication, so as to obtain substantial advantagesand capabilities that are novel and non-obvious in view of the knownart. Examples described below primarily relate to a wirelesscommunication system, but the invention is broadly applicable to manydifferent types of communication in which characteristics of thecommunication link are subject to change.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of a system using adaptive point tomultipoint wireless communication in a wireless communication system.

FIG. 2 shows a process flow diagram of a method for operating a systemusing adaptive point to multipoint wireless communication in a wirelesscommunication system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

In the following description, a preferred embodiment of the invention isdescribed with regard to preferred process steps and data structures.Embodiments of the invention can be implemented using general-purposeprocessors or special purpose processors operating under programcontrol, or other circuits, adapted to particular process steps and datastructures described herein. Implementation of the process steps anddata structures described herein would not require undue experimentationor further invention.

Related Application

Inventions described herein can be used in conjunction with inventionsdescribed in the following documents.

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/475,642, filed Dec. 30, 1999 in thename of Subir Varma, Khuong Ngo, Jean Fuentes, Paul Truong, RezaMajidi-Ahy, attorney docket number 164.1002.01, titled “Adaptive LinkLayer for Point to Multipoint Communication System.”

Each of these documents is hereby incorporated by reference as if fullyset forth herein. These documents are collectively referred to as the“Incorporated Disclosures”.

Lexicography

The following terms refer or relate to aspects of the invention asdescribed below. The descriptions of general meanings of these terms arenot intended to be limiting, only illustrative.

-   -   base station controller—in general, a device for performing        coordination and control for a wireless communication cell.        There is no particular requirement that the base station        controller must be a single device; in alternative embodiments,        the base station controller can include a portion of a single        device, a combination of multiple devices, or some hybrid        thereof.    -   communication link—in general, an element for sending        information from a sender to a recipient. Although in a        preferred embodiment the communication links referred to are        generally wireless line of sight point to point communication        links, there is no particular requirement that they are so        restricted.    -   customer premises equipment—in general, a device for performing        communication processes and tasks at a customer location, and        operating in conjunction with the base station controller within        a wireless communication cell. There is no particular        requirement that the customer premises equipment must be a        single device; in alternative embodiments, the customer premises        equipment can include a portion of a single device, a        combination of multiple devices, or some hybrid thereof.    -   physical parameters—in general, with reference to a wireless        communication link, a set of characteristics or parameters        relating to physical transmission of information on a        communication link. For example, physical characteristics can        include (a) a symbol transmission rate, (b) a number of payload        data bits assigned per symbol, (c) a number of error detection        or correction bits assigned per symbol, and the like.    -   MAC parameters—in general, with reference to a wireless        communication link, a set of characteristics or parameters        relating to media access control of a communication link. For        example, MAC parameters can include (a) a number of payload data        bytes assigned per message, (b) a frequency of acknowledgement        messages and a number of message retransmission attempts, (c) a        fraction of the communication link allocated to downstream        versus upstream communication, and the like.    -   wireless communication system—in general, a communication system        including at least one communication link that uses wireless        communication techniques.    -   wireless transport layer—in general, a set of protocols and        protocol parameters for sending and receiving information using        wireless transport. In a preferred embodiment, the wireless        transport layer is part of a multilayer systems architecture, in        which the wireless transport layer is built using a physical        transport layer, and the wireless transport layer is used by a        logical transport layer such as IP.

As noted above, these descriptions of general meanings of these termsare not intended to be limiting, only illustrative. Other and furtherapplications of the invention, including extensions of these terms andconcepts, would be clear to those of ordinary skill in the art afterperusing this application. These other and further applications are partof the scope and spirit of the invention, and would be clear to those ofordinary skill in the art, without further invention or undueexperimentation.

System Context

A system using adaptive point to multipoint wireless communication in awireless communication system operates as part of a system in whichdevices coupled to a network (such as a computer network) send messages,route and switch messages, and receive messages. In a preferredembodiment, devices coupled to (and integrated with) the network send,route, and receive these messages as sequences of packets, each of whichhas a header including delivery information and a payload includingdata. In a preferred embodiment, packet format conforms to the OSImodel, in which an application protocol (layer 5, such as FTP), uses atransport protocol (layer 4, such as TCP), which uses a network protocol(layer 3, such as IP), which uses a media access control (MAC) protocol(layer 2), which uses a physical transport technique (layer 1).

The system using adaptive point to multipoint wireless communication isdescribed herein with regard to layer 1 and layer 2, particularly as itapplies to interactions between layer 1 and layer 2 and between thoselayers and layer 3. However, concepts and techniques of the inventionare also applicable to other layers of the OSI model. The applicationgives examples of cases where the type of application in the applicationlayer (layer 5) could be incorporated into embodiments of the inventionto improve communication. Adapting those concepts and techniques to suchother layers would not require undue experimentation or furtherinvention, and is within the scope and spirit of the invention.

System Elements

FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of a system using adaptive point tomultipoint wireless communication in a wireless communication system.

A system 100 includes a wireless communication cell 110, a base stationcontroller 120, and one or more customer premises equipment 130.

The wireless communication cell 110 includes a generally hexagon-shapedregion of local surface area, such as might be found in a metropolitanregion. Use of generally hexagon-shaped regions is known in the art ofwireless communication because they are able to tile a local region withsubstantially no gaps. However, although in a preferred embodiment thewireless communication cell 110 includes a generally hexagon-shapedregion, there is no particular requirement for using that particularshape; in alternative embodiments it may be useful to provide anothershape or tiling of the local surface area.

The base station controller 120 includes a processor, program and datamemory, mass storage, and one or more antennas for sending or receivinginformation using wireless communication techniques.

Similar to the base station controller 120, each customer premisesequipment 130 includes a processor, program and data memory, massstorage, and one or more antennas for sending or receiving informationusing wireless communication techniques.

Communication among devices within the wireless communication cell 110is conducted on one-to-one basis between each customer premisesequipment 130 and the base station controller 120. Thus, the basestation controller 120 communicates with each customer premisesequipment 130, and each customer premises equipment 130 communicateswith the base station controller 120. Customer premises equipment 130 donot communicate directly with other customer premises equipment 130.

Communication between the base station controller 120 and each customerpremises equipment 130 is conducted using a time division duplextechnique, in which time duration is are divided into individual frames,each one of which includes a “downstream” portion and an “upstream”portion. Unlike existing protocols in which transmissions are controlledby the transmitting side, the base station controller 120 controlstransmissions for both upstream and downstream directions, withoutspecific requests from the customer premises equipment.

During the downstream portion of each frame, the base station controller120 transmits, thus sending information to one or more customer premisesequipment 130. During the upstream portion of each frame, each customerpremises equipment 130 is potentially allocated a time slot fortransmission, thus for sending information to the base stationcontroller 120. Time division duplex techniques are known in the art ofwireless communication.

Adaptive Point to Multipoint Communication

The base station controller 120 maintains a set of physical parametersand MAC parameters for each customer premises equipment 130. In apreferred embodiment, control of each parameter by the base stationcontroller 120 is independent and individual with regard to eachcustomer premises equipment 130. Thus for example, the base stationcontroller 120 determines power level and modulation type for eachcustomer premises equipment 130 without regard to power level andmodulation type for any other customer premises equipment 130.Similarly, the base station controller 120 determines power level for aparticular customer premises equipment 130 without regard for modulationtype for that particular customer premises equipment 130.

However, in alternative embodiments, the base station controller 120 maycontrol multiple parameters in groups, or in a correlated manner. Thus,the base station 11 controller 120 may alternatively determine powerlevel and modulation type for a particular customer premises equipment130 as a pair of values, where the pair of values are determined so thatthe optimal pair (rather than optimal individual values) are selected.For example, the base station controller 120 may notice that aparticular customer premises equipment 130 needs substantially lesstransmission power level when using a more robust modulation type, andthus select the power level and modulation type parameters for thatparticular customer premises equipment 130 jointly so as to be optimalas a pair, rather than as individual values.

In further alternative embodiments, the base station controller 120 maycontrol parameters for multiple customer premises equipment 130 ingroups, or in a correlated manner. Thus, the base station controller 120may alternatively select a group of more than one customer premisesequipment 130 and control physical parameters and MAC parameters for thegroup as a whole, where the parameters are determined so as to beoptimal for the group, rather than for individual customer premisesequipment 130. For example, the base station controller 120 may noticethat two customer premises equipment 130 A and B generate substantialco-channel interference, and therefore set the channel selectionparameters for those two customer premises equipment 130 A and B toavoid that co-channel interference.

As a further alternative embodiment of controlling parameters formultiple customer premises equipment 130 in groups, the base stationcontroller 120 may control parameters so that (for a group of N customerpremises equipment 130), some portion M of those customer premisesequipment 130 have a first set of parameters, while some other portion(N−M) of those customer premises equipment 130 have a second set ofparameters, so that communication with the entire group of N customerpremises equipment 130 is optimal. For example, the base stationcontroller 120 may determine, for N=10 customer premises equipment 130,that M=9 of those customer premises equipment 130 communicate with thebase station controller 120 at 20 megasymbols per second, while theremaining (N−M)=1 of those customer premises equipment 130 communicatewith the base station controller 120 at 5 megasymbols per second, sothat allocated resources are minimized for communication with the entiregroup of N=10 customer premises equipment 130.

In a preferred embodiment, each of the following parameters actually hastwo values: a first value for transmission by the base stationcontroller 120 and a second value for transmission by the customerpremises equipment 130. Thus, the base station controller 120 cantransmit using a first set of parameters while the customer premisesequipment 130 is instructed to transmit using a second set ofparameters. There is no particular requirement that the first set ofparameters and the second set of parameters need be correlated, exceptfor optimizations desirable due to the nature of the communication linkbetween the base station controller 120 and the customer premisesequipment 130.

In alternative embodiments, the optimizations selected by the basestation controller 120 may be responsive to optimizations orrequirements imposed by higher levels in the OSI model. For example,there are instances noted below in which, if the application level istransmitting voice information or other streaming media, a first set ofparameters would be considered optimal; while if the application levelis transmitting file data or other relatively cohesive information, asecond set of parameters would be considered optimal.

In a preferred embodiment, physical parameters and MAC parametersinclude the following physical parameters:

-   -   antenna selection—The base station controller 120 includes more        than one antenna, and each customer premises equipment 130        includes one or more antennas. In a preferred embodiment, the        antenna selection parameter includes a choice of which one        antenna at the base station controller 120 and which one antenna        at the each customer premises equipment 130.    -   In alternative embodiments, the antenna selection parameter        includes the possibility of sending portions of communication        signal from each of a plurality of antennas (thus, either        simultaneously sending from two antennas or sending from one        antenna followed by a second antenna) and similarly receiving        portions of communication signal at each of a plurality of        antennas.    -   power level—The base station controller 120 sets the power        allocated for transmission.    -   channel selection—The communication link includes more than one        frequency channel on which transmissions are sent and received.        In a preferred embodiment, the channel selection parameter        includes a choice of which one channel the base station        controller 120 uses to transmit and which one channel the each        customer premises equipment 130 transmit.    -   Similar to antenna selection, in alternative embodiments, the        channel selection parameter includes the possibility of sending        portions of communication signal from each of a plurality of        channels (thus, either simultaneously sending from two channels        or sending from one channel followed by a second channel) and        similarly receiving portions of communication signal at each of        a plurality of channels.    -   In alternative embodiments, the communication link may include        other types of channel other than frequency division (FDMA),        such as spread spectrum code division (CDMA), or some        combination of transmission separation techniques, such as a        combination of CDMA, FDMA, and TDMA techniques. In such        alternative embodiments, the channel selection parameter        includes the possibility of selecting one or more of such        separation techniques either independently or jointly.    -   modulation type—The base station controller 120 and the customer        premises equipment 130 can exchange information at one of a        number of different bit per symbol rates, as determined by the        modulation type for transmission of information. In a preferred        embodiment, the modulation type parameter selects between QPSK,        16QAM, and 64QAM modulation techniques. When the modulation type        is QPSK, two bits are transmitted for each symbol. Similarly,        when the modulation type is 16QAM, four bits are transmitted for        each symbol, and when the modulation type is 64QAM, six bits are        transmitted for each symbol.    -   In alternative embodiments, the modulation type may include        other techniques for modulation, such as QFSK or other frequency        modulation techniques, spread spectrum modulation techniques, or        some combination thereof.    -   symbol rate—The base station controller 120 and the customer        premises equipment 130 can exchange information at one of a        number of different symbol per second rates, as determined by        the symbol rate for transmission of information. In a preferred        embodiment, the symbol rate parameter selects between        transmission rates of five, ten, or twenty megasymbols per        second.    -   error code type—The base station controller 120 and the customer        premises equipment 130 can exchange information using one of a        number of different error detection and correction techniques.        These error detection and correction techniques can include past        error detection and correction and forward error detection and        correction. Various codes and techniques for error detection and        correction are known in the art of information science. In a        preferred embodiment, the error code type parameter selects        between Reid-Solomon codes encoding N payload bits using a block        of M transmitted bits, where M is greater than or equal to N.    -   equalization—When base station controller 120 and the customer        premises equipment 130 exchange information, the communication        link between the two imposes an impulse response, so that a        signal which is transmitted from the sender to the receiver is        transformed in a substantially nonlinear manner. The impulse        response is primarily due to multipath effects of communication        between the sender and receiver, but can also be due to other        frequency-diverse effects such as weather.    -   In a preferred embodiment, the base station controller 120 and        the customer premises equipment 130 include an equalizer        element, which attempts to invert the impulse response of the        communication link by pre-conditioning the signal before        transmission. The equalizer element includes a sequence of        coefficients for use in a finite impulse response (FIR) filter,        or may include a sequence of coefficients for use in a        polynomial for determining values for an infinite impulse        response (IIR) filter. The equalization parameter thus includes        the sequence of coefficients for the filter used for        pre-conditioning the signal before transmission.

In a preferred embodiment, physical parameters and MAC parametersinclude the following MAC parameters:

-   -   message size—As described in the Incorporated Disclosures, the        base station controller 120 and the customer premises equipment        130 exchange information using (downstream or upstream) payload        elements, each of which includes header information and payload        information. The message size parameter includes a value for the        amount of payload information to be included in each payload        element; this value can vary from a relatively small number of        payload bytes to the maximum number of payload bytes allowed by        the network (layer 2) protocol, typically about 1500.    -   In a preferred embodiment, the message size parameter is        primarily responsive to the bit error rate (BER) experienced for        the communication link between the base station controller 120        and the customer premises equipment 130. When the bit error rate        is relatively small, the message size parameter can be set to be        relatively large, so as to reduce the amount of overhead for        header information in each payload element. However, when the        bit error rate is relatively larger, the message size parameter        can be set to be relatively smaller, so as to reduce the amount        of overhead for lost payload elements due to errors in one or        more symbols of transmitted payload elements.    -   Those skilled in the art will recognize, after perusal of this        application, that there is a relationship between the modulation        type, error code type, and message size. Thus, where the        modulation type allocates relatively fewer bits per symbol, the        likelihood of error for any particular symbol is relatively        lower, and the bit error rate will also be relatively lower.        Similarly, where the error code type allocates relatively more        error detection or correction bits per symbol, the likelihood of        error for a particular symbol is also relatively lower, and the        bit error rate will also be relatively lower. In those cases        where the bit error rate is relatively lower, the message size        parameter can be set to a relatively larger value.    -   acknowledgment and retransmission—As described in the        Incorporated Disclosures, the base station controller 120 and        the customer premises equipment 130 exchange information using        acknowledgment (ARQ) messages, so as to indicate to the sender        whether or not the receiver has accurately received any        particular payload element. If a particular payload element is        not received, the sender can decide to retransmit that payload        element a number of times, so as to attempt to having received        correctly. The acknowledgment parameter selects how frequently        acknowledgment messages are used to reply to payload elements,        and thus how frequently to let the sender know whether those        payload elements have been received. Similarly, the        retransmission parameter selects how persistently the sender        will attempt to send or resend payload elements to the receiver.    -   Those skilled in the art will recognize, after perusal of this        application, that there is a relationship between the        application in use by the layer 5 application protocol and the        choice of acknowledgment and retransmission parameters. For        example, where the application includes voice transmission or        other streaming media, there is little value in retransmitting        any particular payload element, as the time for decoding and        presenting that payload element is usually well passed by the        time that particular payload element can be retransmitted by the        sender and received by the receiver. On the contrary, for        example, where the allocation includes file data transfer, there        is relatively greater value in retransmitting each lost payload        element, as each and every payload element is generally required        for useful reception of the entire file data transfer.    -   TDD duty cycle—As described in the Incorporated Disclosures, the        base station controller 120 and the customer premises equipment        130 exchange information using a downstream portion and an        upstream portion of a TDMA transmission frame. The TDD duty        cycle parameter selects how much of the TDMA transmission frame        is allocated for downstream information transfer and how much of        the team a transmission frame is allocated for upstream        information transfer.

As describe below, the base station controller 120 maintains thesephysical parameters and MAC parameters, and adaptively modifies themwith changing conditions on the communication link between the basestation controller 120 and the customer premises equipment 130. Thus,when the base station controller 120 notices a change in characteristicsof the communication link, it does not immediately alter the physicalparameters and MAC parameters to correspond exactly to the newcharacteristics of the communication link. Rather, the base stationcontroller 120 maintains a sequence (of at least one) past sets ofvalues of these parameters, and modifies the most recent set ofparameters using the new characteristics, so as to adjust the set ofparameters dynamically while allowing sets of values of these parametersto have persistent effect on future values.

In a preferred embodiment, the base station controller 120 records eachcurrent value for the physical parameters and MAC parameters, determinesexact values for the physical parameters and MAC parameters in responseto characteristics of the communication link, and adaptively selects newvalues for the physical parameters and MAC parameters (thus, for thenext TDMA frame) by linearly mixing current values with dynamic values.Operation of this technique is shown in the following equation 140:value_(new)←1−alpha*value_(current)+alpha*value_(exact)  (140)where

-   -   value_(new)=the new value of each parameter, for the next TDMA        frame;    -   value_(current)=the current value of each parameter, for the        most recent TDMA frame;    -   value_(exact)=the dynamic exact value of each parameter,        determined in response to characteristics of the communication        link;        and    -   alpha=a hysteresis parameter for determining how fast to respond        to changes in characteristics of the communication link.

In a preferred embodiment, the value of alpha is specific to eachindividual physical parameter and MAC parameter.

Method of Operation

FIG. 2 shows a process flow diagram of a method for operating a systemusing adaptive point to multipoint wireless communication in a wirelesscommunication system.

A method 200 includes a set of flow points and a set of steps. Thesystem 100 performs the method 200. Although the method 200 is describedserially, the steps of the method 200 can be performed by separateelements in conjunction or in parallel, whether asynchronously, in apipelined manner, or otherwise. There is no particular requirement thatthe method 200 be performed in the same order in which this descriptionlists the steps, except where so indicated.

At a flow point 210, the base station controller 120 and the customerpremises equipment 130 are ready to begin a TDMA frame.

At a step 211, the base station controller 120 and the customer premisesequipment 130 conduct communication using a TDMA frame. As part of thisstep, the base station controller 120 directs the customer premisesequipment 130 regarding which physical parameters and MAC parameters touse.

At a step 212, the base station controller 120 determinescharacteristics of the communication link with the customer premisesequipment 130, in response to performance of the communication duringthe previous TDMA frame.

At a step 213, the base station controller 120 determines exact valuesfor the physical parameters and MAC parameters in response tocharacteristics of the communication link.

At a step 214, the base station controller 120 determines new values forthe physical parameters and MAC parameters in response to results of theprevious step, and performance of the equation 140.

After this step, the base station controller 120 and the customerpremises equipment 130 have performed one sending and receivinginformation using a TDMA frame. The flow point 310 is reached repeatedlyand the steps thereafter are performed repeatedly, for each TDMA frame.

Generality of the Invention

The invention has general applicability to various fields of use, notnecessarily related to the services described above. For example, thesefields of use can include one or more of, or some combination of, thefollowing:

-   -   The invention is applicable to other forms of wireless        communication, such as frequency division multiple access (FDMA)        or code division multiple access (CDMA, also known as spread        spectrum communication);    -   The invention is applicable to wireline (that is, non-wireless)        communication, in which now can be achieved from dynamically        adjusting communication parameters, such as physical parameters        or MAC parameters. For example, the invention can be generalized        to wireline communication using modems in which equalization        parameters are to be dynamically adjusted.    -   The invention is applicable to other wireless communication        systems, such as satellite communication systems and (microwave        tower or other) point to point transmission systems.    -   The invention is applicable to both fixed wireless communication        systems, in which customer premises equipment do not move        relative to the base station controller 120, and to mobile        wireless communication systems, and which customer premises        equipment move substantially relative to the base station        controller 120.

Other and further applications of the invention in its most generalform, will be clear to those skilled in the art after perusal of thisapplication, and are within the scope and spirit of the invention.

Alternative Embodiments

Although preferred embodiments are disclosed herein, many variations arepossible which remain within the concept, scope, and spirit of theinvention, and these variations would become clear to those skilled inthe art after perusal of this application.

1-14. (canceled)
 15. A base station controller, comprising: one or moreantennas for sending and receiving information using wirelesscommunication techniques; a processor that executes instructions tocontrol said wireless communication techniques; and a memory that storesinformation including said instructions, the instructions comprising thesteps of: determining first values for a plurality of first parametersand at least one second parameter for a communication link, said firstparameters being associated with a first layer of an OSI modelcommunication system and said second parameter being associated with asecond layer of an OSI model communication system; sending firstinformation using said first values; obtaining second informationregarding characteristics of said communication link in response to aresult of said steps of sending; and adjusting a plurality of said firstvalues in conjunction in response to said second information, wherebyfurther use of said communication link is responsive to said steps ofadjusting.
 16. A base station controller, as in claim 15, wherein saidfirst layer and said second layer are selected from the group: aphysical layer, a media access layer, a network layer, a transportlayer, an application layer.
 17. A base station controller, as in claim15, wherein said first parameters include at least two of: an antennaselection value, a power level value, a channel selection value, amodulation type value, a symbol rate value, an error code type value, aset of equalization values.
 18. A base station controller, as in claim15, wherein said second parameters include at least one of: a payloadelement size, a message size value, a set of acknowledgment andretransmission values, a TDD duty cycle value.
 19. A base stationcontroller, as in claim 15, wherein said steps of adjusting includesteps of dynamically selecting a set of altered first values in responseto said second information, said set of altered first values includingat least two changes to said first parameters and said secondparameters, said set of altered first values having been determined tobe superior to altered first values having only one change to said firstparameters and said second parameters.
 20. A base station controller, asin claim 15, wherein said communication link is subject to at least oneof: interference effects, multipath effects, both interference effectsand multipath effects.
 21. A base station controller, as in claim 15,wherein said communication link includes a wireless communication link.22. A base station controller, as in claim 15, wherein saidcommunication link includes a plurality of distinguishable channels,said channels being distinguished using a plurality of: frequencydivision, time division, space division, spread spectrum code division.23. A base station controller, as in claim 15, wherein saidcommunication link includes a plurality of distinguishable channels,said channels being distinguished using at least one of: frequencydivision, time division, space division, spread spectrum code division.24. A base station controller, as in claim 15, including steps ofrecording an old set of said first values for said communication link;and wherein said steps of adjusting include calculating a new set ofsaid first values for said communication link in response to a result ofsaid steps of obtaining second information; combining an adjusted set ofsaid first values adaptively in response to said old set of said firstvalues and said new set of said first values.
 25. A base stationcontroller, as in claim 24, wherein said steps of combining includedetermining said adjusted set using at least one hysteresis parameter.26. A base station controller, as in claim 15, wherein said steps ofadjusting are responsive to a type of protocol being used by at leastone of the group: a physical layer, a media access layer, a networklayer, a transport layer, an application layer.
 27. A base stationcontroller, as in claim 26, wherein said steps of adjusting areresponsive to whether an application layer protocol is for asymmetrictransfer of information.
 28. A base station controller, as in claim 26,wherein said steps of adjusting are responsive to whether an applicationlayer protocol is for sending voice or video information.
 29. A memorystoring information including instructions, the instructions executableby a processor to control wireless communication, the instructions,comprising: determining first values for a plurality of first parametersand at least one second parameter for a communication link, said firstparameters being associated with a first layer of an OSI modelcommunication system and said second parameter being associated with asecond layer of an OSI model communication system; sending firstinformation using said first values; obtaining second informationregarding characteristics of said communication link in response to aresult of said steps of sending; and adjusting a plurality of said firstvalues in conjunction in response to said second information, wherebyfurther use of said communication link is responsive to said steps ofadjusting.
 30. A memory as in claim 29, wherein said first layer andsaid second layer are selected from the group: a physical layer, a mediaaccess layer, a network layer, a transport layer, an application layer.31. A memory as in claim 29, wherein said first parameters include atleast two of: an antenna selection value, a power level value, a channelselection value, a modulation type value, a symbol rate value, an errorcode type value, a set of equalization values.
 32. A memory as in claim29, wherein said second parameters include at least one of: a payloadelement size, a message size value, a set of acknowledgment andretransmission values, a TDD duty cycle value.
 33. A memory as in claim29, wherein said steps of adjusting include steps of dynamicallyselecting a set of altered first values in response to said secondinformation, said set of altered first values including at least twochanges to said first parameters and said second parameters, said set ofaltered first values having been determined to be superior to alteredfirst values having only one change to said first parameters and saidsecond parameters.
 34. A memory as in claim 29, wherein saidcommunication link is subject to at least one of: interference effects,multipath effects, both interference effects and multipath effects. 35.A memory as in claim 29, wherein said communication link includes awireless communication link.
 36. A memory as in claim 29, wherein saidcommunication link includes a plurality of distinguishable channels,said channels being distinguished using a plurality of: frequencydivision, time division, space division, spread spectrum code division.37. A memory as in claim 29, wherein said communication link includes aplurality of distinguishable channels, said channels being distinguishedusing at least one of: frequency division, time division, spacedivision, spread spectrum code division.
 38. A memory as in claim 29,including steps of recording an old set of said first values for saidcommunication link; and wherein said steps of adjusting includecalculating a new set of said first values for said communication linkin response to a result of said steps of obtaining second information;combining an adjusted set of said first values adaptively in response tosaid old set of said first values and said new set of said first values.39. A memory as in claim 38, wherein said steps of combining includedetermining said adjusted set using at least one hysteresis parameter.40. A memory as in claim 29, wherein said steps of adjusting areresponsive to a type of protocol being used by at least one of thegroup: a physical layer, a media access layer, a network layer, atransport layer, an application layer.
 41. A memory as in claim 40,wherein said steps of adjusting are responsive to whether an applicationlayer protocol is for asymmetric transfer of information.
 42. A memoryas in claim 40, wherein said steps of adjusting are responsive towhether an application layer protocol is for sending voice or videoinformation.